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The 9 Best Sweaters for Fall

Updated on Apr. 12, 2024

Stock your closet with the coziest and most fashionable fall sweaters for every body and budget.

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Sweaters are the most versatile fall wardrobe item

It’s officially sweater weather, so we did the hard work of finding all the best sweaters for fall at every size and budget point. Pair them with your best leggings (including your fleece-lined leggings), layer over new Amazon work dresses and wear them neatly tucked into the trendiest jeans. Seriously, you can never have too many sweaters.

How to shop for sweaters

The best sweaters for fall are versatile, cozy picks that won’t cost an arm or a leg. As a start, buy neutral and muted colors that pair well with everything else you have in your closet.

“Neutrals are far from bland,” explains Bernadett Vajda, an image consultant and style expert with years in the modeling industry. “Muted and neutral basics are the foundation of any great outfit. Throw on a nice basic neutral knit top and pair it with fun earrings, a necklace or lipstick and you’ll be camera ready.”

She adds, “Black sweater options will always give you that spot-on glamour and will never go out of style and can be dressed up or down.” That means you’ll be able to make the most of your sweaters dressed up with heels or in more casual settings like going for a hike with walking shoes.

Shop for high-quality stitching and even weaving. Natural materials like cotton, cashmere, wool or blends are also typically signatures of higher-end garments. Plus, you can find them at every price point and size. “Cashmere, silk and cotton blends often feel softest against the skin. Before purchasing a sweater, check to see if the garment needs dry cleaning. If this is something you haven’t budgeted for—leave it.”

How to care for sweaters

Make sure you keep a moth-proof wardrobe and keep your delicate knits neatly folded and stacked rather than hung. Here’s how to get rid of moths without mothballs, if you’re wondering. Hangers can leave permanent marks and stretched-out spots in knitwear, so you’ll want to avoid them if possible. If you do need to store them upright, here’s how to hang sweaters properly.

Make sure you choose the safest laundry detergents for your sweater knits and check out these secrets only professional dry cleaners know about how to make your best clothes last longer.

Be sure you have a dependable laundry drying rack on at home for hand-washed items and careful air drying. Caring for your best sweaters will keep them pill-free and soft for years to come.

The best sweaters for every budget and body type


Rd Ecomm Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater Via Onequince.com via merchant

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

You’ll have a hard time finding a better price on top quality, genuine 100 percent Mongolian cashmere than this Quince crewneck that comes in over a dozen colors and sizes XS through XL. Plus, its practically unbelievable $50 price tag alone makes it one of the best sweaters on the market.

It’s so soft that it feels like your best pajamas but looks dazzling enough to wear just about anywhere life takes you. And did we mention this $50 cashmere sweater sells out every year?

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Rd Ecomm Cozy Earth Ultra Soft Bamboo Pullover Crew via merchant
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Cozy Earth Ultra-Soft Bamboo Pullover Crew

Consider this bamboo-based pullover from Cozy Earth the snuggliest hybrid between an eco-friendly sweater and a cozy-casual sweatshirt. It’s one of the best sweater picks for weekend mornings and can even be worn as part of a matching loungewear set.

With five chic shades, you’ll have a hard time picking just one to buy—so why not stock up? It’s so easy to care for that you can pop it right in the laundry machine without overthinking it.

Rd Ecomm Barefoot Dreams Cozychic Lite Circle Cardi Via Nordstrom.com via merchant

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Circle Cardi

This is definitely one of the softest and best sweater picks for lazy days at home, and not just because this Barefoot Dreams cardigan is famous for having the plushest material around. It’s all about effortless style with this easy, open-front design that comes in a versatile length. Snuggle up to the ribbed shawl collar and stash your phone, lip balm and other essentials in the two inset pockets.

Rd Ecomm Gray State Cashmere Oversized V Neck Vest Via Statecashmere.com via merchant

State Cashmere Oversized V-Neck Vest

Meet the fall layering essential you didn’t know you needed—but won’t want to live without. This wildly soft, chic 100% cashmere sweater vest can be worn alone while the weather’s still warm, and then atop a blouse or a long-sleeved tee when the temperature drops.

As a bonus, State Cashmere is a sustainable fashion brand; its shepherds in Inner Mongolia (who earn fair living wages), practice the kind of loving, humane treatment of their goats that will make you proud to support the brand.

Rd Ecomm Tentree Sustainable Turtleneck Sweater Via Tentree.com via merchant

Tentree Sustainable Turtleneck Sweater

Six neutral shades and a range of sizes make this Tentree sustainable wool turtleneck an instant classic and one of the best sweaters for fall. The universally flattering relaxed shape works well with work ensembles and adds a subtle counterbalance to your trendiest Nordstrom shoes.

Made of responsibly sourced wool and organic cotton, it’s a feel-good purchase you’ll be proud to wear. It’s also easy to layer over winter underpinnings and a sharp look beneath a classic pea coat or puffer jacket.

Open Front Cashmere Cardigan Black via merchant

Open Front Cashmere Cardigan

Everything in your wardrobe gets an instant upgrade when topped with this classic open front cardigan from Misook. The clean simple design looks equally elegant over a T-shirt or tank as over a blouse or cami, and you can’t beat the comfort—100% soft cashmere from sustainable sources. The thing to love about knits from Misook: They’re made to flatter the figures of real women, gracing your body in all the right places. Comes in black, cobalt, deep teal and pink rose, sizes XS to XL.

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Amazon Essentials Lightweight Crewneck Sweater via merchant
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Amazon Essentials Lightweight Crewneck Sweater

Consider this piece your wintertime basic tee—just a lot warmer and cozier. The Amazon Essentials crewneck comes in sizes XXS through 6XL and is offered in nearly two dozen gorgeous colorways.

One of the thousands of happy verified Amazon purchasers, Leslie S. writes, “I am so impressed by this sweater! I had my doubts about ordering an Amazon sweater, but I’m so glad that I did. It has a looser fit and seems to be of very good quality—not thin at all. This definitely rivals a sweater that I would purchase from a J. Crew factory store, but at a fraction of the price. I will definitely purchase more products from this brand!”

Rd Ecomm Brookline Zip Cloud Heather Via Carvedesigns.com via merchant

Carve Designs Brookline Zip Sweater

Casual days and comfortable weekends call for this cozy Carve Designs Brookline sweater. It features a comfortable quarter-zip and chunky gauge. The fold-over collar stands up when fully zipped on really cold nights just in case you forget to wear a scarf.

Each piece is also slightly unique thanks to multicolored flecks in the sweater’s weave. Choose from three neutral shades and sizes XXS through XL.

Rd Ecomm Chloe Chunky Cardigan Sweater Via Kindredbravely.com via merchant

Kindred Bravely Chloe Chunky Cardigan Sweater

Maternity and nursing sweaters can be chic, too! This timeless Kindred Bravely cardigan allows bumps to grow and shrink with ease. Then it transitions into a clever cape-style nursing cover when you need it most. It’s also one of the most useful baby shower gifts for new moms.

When the baby is grown, it becomes a cocoon-style piece that you’ll treasure for years to come. Choose from XS through XXL sizes and three neutral color offerings. Then brag to all your friends about the deep pockets it has on each side.

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